Analysis of the quantitative composition of the dental biofilm depending on the state of the hard dental tissues

Abstract

The microflora of the oral cavity affects not only the development and course of the pathology of the hard dental tissues but also the effectiveness of its treatment and prevention. Therefore, it is equally important for a dentist to determine the species composition of microorganisms and their quantitative characteristics. The aim of the work was to study the quantitative composition of the planktonic form of the dental biofilm of the vestibular surface of the cervical teeth in young patients; its analysis in patients with a wedge-shaped defect, cervical caries and clinically intact teeth. A microbiological study of the dental biofilm of intact premolars of 33 caries-resistant patients (average age [23.90±5.34] years) was conducted. All patients were divided into three groups depending on the condition of the hard dental tissues. The dental biofilm removed from the lesion was additionally examined in patients with wedge-shaped defects. Microorganisms were identified by morphological, tinctorial and biochemical characteristics. A quantitative study of the population level was carried out by counting colony-forming units (CFU) in one gram of biomaterial which was expressed as a decimal logarithm (lg CFU/g). An imbalance between representatives of pathological and normal microflora was determined. Patients with cervical caries had a significantly higher chance of having Str. mutans and Lactobacterium in the dental biofilm, and a lower chance Str. γ-haemolyticus (p<0.05). It confirms the role of Str. mutans and Lactobacterium in the etiology of cervical dental caries. There were no significant differences between the quantitative composition of the dental biofilm of patients of different groups that is probably related to the study of its planktonic component, the criteria for forming groups and the high level of caries resistance of the examined enamel. The obtained results can be useful in prescribing treatment and preventive measures for patients with cervical pathology of the teeth as well as in evaluating their effectiveness. In our opinion, it will contribute to a significant reduction in its prevalence and intensity among young people. Keywords: microorganisms, оral cavity, wedge-shaped defect, cervical caries.